UNITY CALL IN ELECTION YEAR Members of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) gather outside Quirino Grandstand (left photo) on Monday for a “National Rally for Peace” amid efforts by critics of Vice President Sara Duterte, including allies of President Marcos, to have her impeached. Despite that political backdrop ahead of the midterm elections, the ministers who addressed that gathering emphasized that politics was not the motivation behind their assembly, even as they referred to the President’s remarks last November discouraging any impeachment moves against his estranged ally, Duterte. Malacañang on Tuesday said Marcos has not changed that stand. The messaging on the ralliers’ placards also conformed with the broad appeal for peace, unity and progress. Police estimated the Rizal Park gathering to be at 1.58 million, with another 300,000 INC members joining the rallies organized by the sect in key provincial cities, such as Davao (above). —PHOTOS BY GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE AND GERMELINA LACORTE
LAST CALL WITH BIDEN President Marcos on Monday joins a video call together with US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru, as the outgoing American leader highlighted the “historic progress” made by the United States, the Philippines and Japan in strengthening their trilateral ties in trade, technology and, above all, maritime security. Biden also praised Mr. Marcos for leading the response against “China’s aggressive and coercive activities in the South China Sea.” China, however, still persists with its incursions into Philippine waters. The so-called monster ship of the China Coast Guard (CCG), CCG 5901, has remained for almost two weeks in the waters of Zambales. —PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE PHOTO
SUSPENSION BACKLASH Law enforcers of Lanao del Norte’s 1st Provincial Police Mobile Force Company on Sunday secure the municipal hall of Kauswagan from supporters of Mayor Rommel Arnado, whom the provincial board had earlier suspended after Arnado suspended a village official. According to the board, Arnado committed grave misconduct and grave abuse of authority with his suspension order. Two persons were hurt during Sunday’s commotion as police sought to restore order at the town hall. The board has appointed Aga Sanguilingan Dimakuta, a member of Kauswagan’s council, as Arnado’s successor. —RICHEL UMEL
BIG-TICKET PROJECT Engineers, supervisors and their workers set up their equipment and construction materials at Mindanao Avenue in Quezon City, as four lanes on that road are sealed off beginning Tuesday for the construction of the Tandang Sora Station of the Metro Manila Subway Project. The 33-kilometer transit line, a project of the government, DM Consunji Inc. and their Japanese partners, will run from Valenzuela City to Pasay City and is targeted for completion after two years at the earliest. —NIÑO JESUS ORBETA
LAWMAKERS JOINS PROTEST Akbayan Rep. Perci Cendaña on Tuesday joins labor and activist groups gathered outside the Social Security System (SSS) headquarters in Quezon City to protest the 1-percent increase in premium contributions which takes effect this year. The protesters said the government should focus on policies directly improving the lives of Filipino workers, such as an increase in the minimum wage and lower prices for basic commodities. —NIÑO JESUS ORBETA
THE OTHER NEW YEAR The Huang Lion and Dragon Dance Group on Tuesday performs at Greenhills Mall in San Juan City ahead of the Chinese New Year on Jan. 29. A dragon dance competition will be held at the mall on Jan. 19, 10 days before the festivities marking the Year of the Wood Snake. —NIÑO JESUS ORBETA
